…….Alausa: Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda drives improved staff welfare, stronger accountability and uninterrupted academic calendars.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s tertiary education sector through the unveiling and implementation of the 2026 agreements with academic and non-academic staff unions, including the payment of approved allowances to eligible personnel nationwide, effective January 1, 2026.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, announced the development in Abuja, describing it as a significant milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and a demonstration of the administration’s resolve to honour its commitments, restore confidence in collective bargaining and strengthen industrial harmony across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Dr Alausa noted that longstanding industrial disputes and delayed agreements had contributed to recurring strikes, disrupted academic calendars and prolonged students’ academic programmes. He stressed that the new agreements represent renewed efforts to address these challenges and advance the President’s commitment to ensuring that four-year academic programmes are completed within four years.
The Minister explained that the agreements provide for the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for eligible members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), alongside the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for eligible non-teaching personnel across tertiary institutions, in accordance with the agreed provisions and implementation guidelines.
He emphasised that improved staff welfare, adequate professional resources, fair promotion processes, occupational safety and career advancement opportunities are essential to building a motivated workforce and a competitive tertiary education system. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to translating negotiated agreements into tangible improvements in workers’ welfare, institutional performance and students’ learning experiences.
To strengthen accountability, Dr Alausa announced the expansion of the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee established for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) agreement into a broader framework covering academic and non-academic staff unions. The committee will monitor implementation milestones, assess progress, identify challenges and promote accountability through periodic reports. The government is also considering making the committee permanent.
In her welcome address, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the agreements as an important milestone in strengthening industrial relations, improving staff welfare and promoting a stable and productive tertiary education system. She commended Dr Alausa for his leadership and commitment to institutional stability, acknowledging the contributions of the negotiation committee, union leaders, relevant agencies and the media.
Professor Ahmad highlighted the complementary roles of academic and non-academic personnel in teaching, learning, research and institutional administration. She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to investment in infrastructure, research, technology, institutional resources and workforce development, urging all parties to fulfil their obligations and ensure that the agreements deliver improved morale, stronger governance and better service delivery.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Ishaku Musa Mohammed, commended the Federal Government, the Ministry and the unions for reaching the agreements. He stressed that successful negotiations must be matched by effective implementation, continuous consultation, transparency and accountability, assuring stakeholders of continued support within the Office’s mandate.
The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, described the unveiling as a renewed call for shared responsibility, mutual trust and sustained cooperation between the Federal Government and organised labour. She urged all parties to ensure faithful implementation of the agreements, noting that the Joint Implementation and Monitoring Committee would promote accountability, address implementation challenges and safeguard industrial harmony across tertiary institutions.
Dr Olatunji-David emphasised that the success of the agreements would ultimately be measured by improved staff welfare and morale, greater commitment to duty, enhanced institutional performance, sustained industrial stability and better-quality education in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee and former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, CFR, attributed the successful negotiations to dialogue, empathy, mutual respect and compromise. He commended the participating unions and government representatives for recognising one another’s concerns and embracing collective bargaining as the foundation for sustainable industrial harmony.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, described the agreements as vital to restoring stability across the tertiary education system. He urged stakeholders to obtain accurate information through established channels, explaining that agreements must undergo appropriate administrative procedures before implementation is completed.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, congratulated the government and unions, commending their determination to resolve longstanding concerns through dialogue. He emphasised policy continuity, sustained investment and consistent implementation as essential to lasting improvements in tertiary education.
The Federal Government acknowledged the contributions of ASUU, ASUP, COEASU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), the Non-Academic Technical Staff Union of Polytechnics (NOTSUP), the Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and other participating unions, alongside relevant ministries, departments, agencies, institutional administrators and technical teams.
The agreements provide for a three-year review, allowing the parties to assess implementation and address emerging concerns through continued engagement.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterates that promises must translate into action, hope must be sustained through results, and trust must be strengthened through accountability. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the Ministry will continue working with all stakeholders to improve staff welfare, safeguard industrial harmony and ensure that Nigerian students complete their academic programmes without avoidable disruptions.
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
